Highlights
• UNICEF and partners continue to meet on-going humanitarian needs, respond to small, localised emergencies and remain prepared to respond to requests for humanitarian assistance. UNICEF and partners reached more adults and children than planned, providing access to safe water, learning materials, safe spaces for learning, Vitamin A supplementation and deworming. Reports of Grave Child Rights Violations have been identified, verified and responded to.
• The Government of the Philippines is taking a more independent approach to leading and responding to humanitarian needs. The humanitarian community is being encouraged to invest in building national systems and capacities for humanitarian preparedness, response and resilience.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Mindanao remained unstable in 2016, where 152,380 persons were displaced1 and in need of durable solutions. Causes of displacement include conflict, and military operations against terrorist groups aligned with ISIS in the Sulu Archipelago. The recruitment of children by armed groups and the use of child soldiers is of particular concern. Drought, aggravated by El Niño threatened food security, sustainable agriculture and the availability of clean drinking water. Typhoons caused flooding, landslides and catastrophic winds in Luzon destroying livelihoods and forcing school closures.
